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Last year, in the leadup to my proper first winter, I found a few things that I collected during autumn made the change of season so much easier to bear. That and eating soup like, every day.
I hope they help make your nest super-cosy this season – lord knows I’m addicted to those Queen B candles. And evening socks! I’m all about comfort. And food.
I read Peppermint Magazine religiously, and I love the tips they have for living seasonally. Wouldn’t miss it!
I love candles on cold dark nights (hell I love them at any time) but a scented candle in closed quarters make me feel sick and gives me a headache. I save those for summer. In cooler times, I have an (embarrassingly large) collection of Queen B candles (no palm oil, no fragrance except natural honey and 100% Australian beeswax) – a mix of narrow solid 15cm ones and and these squat pillars, with 40 hours of burn time, and I’m still making my way through These little Jam Jar Tealights.
I do still like smells, especially when fresh air is icy and I’ve shut every door and window known to man. I burn essential oils because they’re nice and they won’t make me puke. We have this Lavender one when we’re chilling out and this Peppermint one when I am working or need to concentrate. Or if everything just smells stuffy. I also use this Organic Tea Tree Oil and the Organic Eucalyptus for cleaning year-round. I’m pretty keen on this Organic Sweet Orange – have popped it on my shopping list! I wish they had lemon, also.
I’ve also just added This oil burner to that shopping list because the oil burner I have is from the $2 shop and has seen better days. Have you ever tried an electric one? I think I might upgrade.
Cooler weather calls for blankets, and I like to make my own. I’m currently using some Bendigo Woollen Mills pure wool with this pattern, but next stop is this Organic Australian Merino Wool and this pattern. I started it but quickly realised my stash wouldn’t be enough so I pulled it apart and started the new one. I’m using a beautiful handcrafted crochet hook, much like these ones.
My skin gets super dry what with the cold weather in general coupled with home heating. Last year I went nuts with lotions and potions, but by the end of it, I realised simple was best. I stock up on delicious raw vegan vanilla lip balm, almond oil and coconut oil for my skin, Cosima Organics for my ageing visage, and argan oil for the locks.
I’m also fully in favour of treats and hand warmers, so my fridge is full of Loving Earth Raw Vegan Crunchy Mint Dark Chocolate (and the new mandarin and cardamom one, have you tried that? And the lemon salted caramel and the new hazelnut mylk one because I’m a piggie pie) to make hot chocolates from, and a frightful amount of tea. This season I’m downing endless cups of Yorkshire Tea, Dilmah Green Tea (it is really smooth and doesn’t have that weird bitter aftertaste), Sleep Tight from T2, and my ever-dwindling stash of Wedgwood Earl Grey.
All in all, they make for a cosy transition from sticky summer days to frosty nights just that little bit more bearable. Please remind me of this when it’s dark at 5pm and I can’t feel my toes.
What do you like to do to get ready for the seasons? Unless you’re in Queensland and you don’t bloody get any!
That Bettie Thing says
I curl up under a blanket and try to hibernate, but then unfortunately the husband goes back to work and somebody had to wash and feed the kids.
Veggie Mama says
Haha I know, I’d totally live on the couch if people didn’t need feeding and their butts wiped.
Karin @ Calm to Conniption says
I moved back down from The Whitsundays to Brisbane a year ago so I loved our “winter” last year. It’s enough for me. I even get blankets out!
Veggie Mama says
Hahah I think I wore a cardigan once the year before last.
Jenny Tiffen @ Love Wednesday says
I live with all 4 seasons here in Canberra Stacey and love your tips! I am keen to get one of those cold steam changing-colour vaporizers this winter for my kitchen counter. I don’t understand the cold steam bit but anything that will help our skin from flaking off is a plus! I always buy a cheap perfume for Summer. Its usually something crazily sweet by Brittney Spears or T.Swizzle and it feels like party season whenever I snuff them! Then I have a no celebrity scent Winter. Not because I am making my own blankets but maybe I should be. You’re amazing!
Veggie Mama says
Haha I went through that Britney Spears perfume phase and now I can smell anyone with it from half a k away. What is a cold steam changing colour vaporiser? I WANT ONE!
Catherine says
This is an ultrasonic diffuser – http://www.perfectpotion.com.au/shop/Product/9339918000132/conical-ultrasonic-diffuser
perfect for oils over the chilly months. I burn oil of thieves most days in the winter to keep away colds and flus. Not only will your house smell divine but it will help prevent mould, boost the immune system and even sanitize your dishwasher!! Easy to make your own using Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon Bark, Rosemary & Eucalyptus.
Veggie Mama says
OH MY GOD I WANT IT!
Ellen Jackson says
Our old, uninsulated Ballarat house is a winter nightmare EXCEPT we’ve now had the woodfire stove in the kitchen going 24 hours a day for the past five days and it’s toasty. So lovely I dragged the laptop into the kitchen to work there for a few hours yesterday. Now I need some nice smelly stuff too. Lavendar and Peppermint sound perfect. I’m off to investigate. Ta! x
Veggie Mama says
Oh it’s so nice but it’s nowhere near as nice as wood fire smell! I would cry every day in a Ballarat uninsulated house and I don’t think I would ever leave the kitchen! You brave.